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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommuter Rail Committee-Minutes-8/25/2008 Commuter Rail Committee Minutes – August 25, 2008 1. Call to Order Chairman John Gooding called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Bart Butler, Urmesh Shah, John Gooding, Paul Vigiletti, Kristen O’Ragan, Linda Baker, Mike Muhm, Joyce Hammill, John Paul Burnett, James Day, Clif Davis, John Leeper, Fred Mills, Keath Hance Absent: David Grimes, Roger Nelson, Rich Hendler Staff: Kelly Cooper, Terry Leake, Doug Cooper 2. Approval of Minutes: August 11, 2008 August 19, 2008 Urmesh Shah made a motion to approve the August 11, 2008 minutes. Paul Vigiletti seconded the motion, the motion carried. John Gooding made a motion to approve the August 19, 2008 minutes. John Leeper seconded the motion, the motion carried. 3. Report from Terry Leake, Finance Director regarding tax rate Ms. Terry Leake spoke regarding the rail funding as spoken at Pre Council. The tax rate is not changing; it is the same as it was for FY 2008. There is an increase in valuation and new construction. There is no funding for this project in the FY 2009 budget. This year there was very limited expenditure growth in any area. Council provides commitment to one million for street resurfacing and no tax increase. 4. Report from Doug Cooper, Lieutenant regarding crime statistics Doug Cooper reported that he had contacted several area cities regarding crime statistics before and after the opening of a commuter rail station. Richland Hills indicated they had limited crime at station site and limited crime in and around neighborhoods located near stations. Irving also reported minimal crime at the station and surrounding neighborhoods. Fort Worth has experienced some increases and some decreases; however this is seven years of data which will reflect increases over time anyway. For example the Lancaster station, downtown station reported 10 thefts. Urmesh Shah asked if this was data at the station sites. Doug Cooper said it includes the station and surrounding neighborhoods. He also indicated that a community could expect similar crime that you might see at a large parking area such as Market Street. These numbers are similar theft results (10) to our market street parking lot. Doug also indicated that he found two studies, one from October 2002 study the UCLA Green line in LA. It is a 30 page document researching crime. “Transit not brought more crime, criminals not using green line…” A second study, Atlanta GA indicated,”fears unfounded….” 1993 – Baltimore – no significant relationship trends between crime rates and opening of a station. Kristen O’Ragan asked who commissioned these studies to be done. Doug Cooper answered with the Transportation Research Board (national) The committee continued discussion of crime concerns, how DART handles and would The T provide same type of enforcement. 5. Discuss EIS Review Preparation – Establish review team(s) in preparation for EIS receipt (See EIS Items listed in the packet) John Gooding indicated the EIS has not been released yet and the update is that it should be out mid October 2008. John asked Fred to lead the discussion regarding review of the EIS once it is released. Fred suggested everyone look at the list of EIS items found in the packet. Discussion continued regarding how to manage the list of items and the possibility of dividing the committee into teams that could review specific items of the EIS. John Leeper suggested keeping subcommittees involved in the issues they are most familiar with because they have already completed research on these specific areas. John Gooding took some time to give a brief overview of the presentation given to City Council and perspectives received from City Council. The discussion moved to item number six on the agenda 6. Discuss Information Sharing Initiative - Using pending COG Input, and other established sources of information, prepare an informative presentation to be given to Service Clubs, Homeowners Groups, and other Colleyville citizen groups. John Gooding led the discussion with a need for understanding regional transportation issues. What can rail do, why do we need it and what are the benefits of rail. This could be put in a presentation given to community groups, HOA’s so citizens can make an informed decision. Additional discussion took place with regard to a 6-10 question survey, and additional public meetings to receive more input. Michael Muhm asked, what is the goal in reaching the population, 5% and 10%. Kristen O’Regan asked will their voice be heard. One criticism of the last meetings is that they weren’t heard but rather were divided into smaller groups. Linda Baker included that the committee has no obligation to sell this, we are to gather the facts and present to City Council. Urmesh Shah included that the committee knows what they are asking the public and educate. The last public meetings did not do enough. We must get organized, plan of action to reach more people and that we also need to present the impact the train will have on the city also. James Day indicated that a survey was needed. John Paul Burnett said the committee has to look beyond tomorrow…look 15 years down the road. Bart Butler asked how much input do we need? Can’t beat ourselves up to get information. How much more invest in this piece? Information is out there we can’t shove it down their throats. Joyce Hammill asked where is the train going to go, how will people get downtown, How many people in Colleyville are going to get on the train? John Gooding discussed a meeting he will have with the NCTCOG this Friday at 1:00 p.m. They will present information on the rail which we will be able to use in presenting to the community. 5. Committee went back to agenda number five and determined to table this item until Fred Mills and John Gooding could suggest a grouping and bring back to the committee at a later date for approval. The committee agreed. 7. Discuss Economic Impact Study - Work with Colleyville City Council to assure funding and undertaking of a Colleyville "T" Station economic impact study John Gooding led the discussion indicating that the NCTCOG has 40 million in grant money available in May for land acquisition, planning and infrastructure. He told the committee he would like the City to write a grant to study ED of the area and possible planning. Staff indicated that in May 2009 is the call for projects that it would take several months for approval, but May was the deadline. Urmesh Shah included that there would be some type of development on the property eventually. If a station it would be one type of development, without a station another type of development. We are a regional player and there are risks up and down in the city. Fred Mills stated that Economic Development would be very helpful that there would be spin off benefits for Colleyville. 8. Discuss Restructure/Refocus of existing subcommittees John Gooding indicated that based on City Council discussion the night of the presentation that there was no longer a need for the Finance Subcommittee at this time. John Gooding and Mike Muhm would move to assist the Public Information subcommittee. 9. Final review and input of information for website Staff asked for any final changes to the website information and thanked the group for their patience. John Leeper, Fred Mills and Linda Baker all offered changes to be corrected prior to the website going live. 10. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss; a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Minutes taken and prepared by Kelly Cooper.